Turin, Italy - Some 48,000 workers at auto maker Fiat began Monday an almost month-long vacation, following the company's decision temporarily to halt production at its factories in Italy, a Fiat spokesman said.

The decision by the Turin-based Fiat - Europe's fifth-biggest car maker by market value - to shut its plants until January 12, comes amid the global economic downturn which has had a major impact on the car market.

Fiat, which also produces cars with the Ferrari and Alfa Romeo brand names, has fared better than many other car manufacturers, also thanks to strong sales of its agricultural sector vehicles.

Passau, Germany - German police freed on Monday two men initially suspected of stabbing a police chief who has been vilified by neo-Nazis.

Alois Mannichl, 52, chief of police in the southern German city of Passau, survived the Saturday attack outside his home by a shaven- headed man who yelled neo-Nazi abuse.

Public prosecutor Helmut Walch said Monday both suspects were local men and had matched a description by Mannichl.

But hours later the men were released. Police said they had found no proof of their involvement. Joachim Herrmann, interior minister of Bavaria state, had identified the two as far rightists.

Hanoi - An exchange of gunfire Monday between two gangs killed six and left several people wounded in the northern port town of Ha Long City, police said.

Vietnamese media reported the killings had occurred at about 5 am (22:00 GMT Sunday) as the gunmen, driving cars and motorbikes, exchanged fire while chasing each other at high speed.

Officer Nguyen The Hung of the Ha Long City police department said police had arrived at the crime scene shortly afterwards and had gathered evidence until noon. He declined to release further details until the investigation is complete.

Moscow - Three Russian warships will visit Cuba on Friday, a navy spokesman said Monday, as Moscow boosts relations with the Cold War ally and long-time foe of the United States.

"This will be the first visit to Cuba by Russian warships since the Soviet days," Navy spokesman Captain Igor Dygalo was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying.

The Admiral Chabanenko missile destroyer and two support ships will put in for five days on the Communist island just 145 kilometres off the US coast until December 23.

Melbourne, Dec 15 : The asking price for an island owned by Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue and her family has been reduced after the original price did not attract buyers.

The island, Beauciel, on Victoria''s French Island, has been put up or sale since February, and it had received some offers but not what Minogue and her family, who are co-owners, wanted.

The original asking price of 1.2 million dollars has now been dropped to between 950,000 dollars to 1,050,000 dollars, reports News. com. au.